LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1801, 14 July 1913, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

A conference is to asscmblo at the old Parliament Buildings at 10 a.m. to-day, to consider matters connected with the export of fruit to South America. It is expected that shippers, shipping companies and the Agricultural Department will be represented. The conference is to be opened by tho Hon, W. F. Masscy (Prime Minister). "Some people," said the Rev. Vallanco Cook, at the' mission meeting in tho Wesley Hall on Saturday evening, "have the idea that wo Methodists are a small community. They seem surprised when I tell them that we number more than the Anglicans, and that in the world there are thirty millions of us." Members of tho St. James Rugby fifteen will long remember their journey to Johnsonville on Saturday afternoon for their match against Poneke.; In tho first place-the brake in which they wero to be taken' out failed to materialise at the proper time, so a motor-wagon was commissioned. Before they wero clear of Jervoia Quay, however, something "went wrong with the works," and the machine came to a sudden, halt. The players and their supporters thereupon hired five taxi-cabs, and evofttually reached the ground ini a triumphal procession. Practical 'work is on. the cards at Eastbourne for Arbor Day. Tho Borough Council and tho Beautifying Society have decided to co-operate in tree-planting operations. The treM to be planted in particular streets are as follow:—Main Hoad, ngaio; Orua Road, poliutukawa; Mnfciro Road, poliutukawa; Esplanade, cabbage, trees. The Borough Council has authorised tho Beautifying Society to plant kowhai on the northern aspect of Muritai Park. ' ■ Work in connection with the duplication of the Brooklyn tramway lino has coinmonced. The section to be dealt with at present is that between the Nairn Street Reserve and Brooklyn. Belpw the reserve the lino crosses tho gully by means of an embankment, which would need to bo ividenod by at least twenty feet to carry a second pair of rails. Later oil tlio lino between tho Albert Hotel and Wordsworth Street is lo be duplicated. Tho New Zealand Counties' Conference is to bo held in Wellington, commencing on. August 19. The new park acquired by the Eastbourne Borough was given a name by the Borough Couucll on Friday night. The reserve mil in future bo kiiown as Muritai Park. Detective Abbott 'yesterday arrested a man named John 33. M'Keo, on warrant, on a chargo of failing to provide for an illegitimate child at Christohurchi. Under tho oaiopioes of tho Socialist party, Mr.'P. Eraser delivered an address in tho Socialists' Hall last night, tho title being "The Press and Socialism." fiVsterday morning tho Rev. C. E. Ward, of Christchurch, preached in the Northland Methodist Church on "Eduea/tion." Mr. Ward said that in a young land liko New Zealand tho instruction of youth was most important. Education was the formation of character, tho development of tho whole man, the body, intellect, and tho heart. Parliament had decided that tho children should bo instructed in tho public schools, and that education should bo free, compulsory, and secular. Tho schools were not Godless, for they aimed at the development of the physical, mental, and moral natures of the ohildren. and wero thus indirectly religious. The children were there taught cleanliness, obedience, tho first laws of music, mechanics, and geometry, '.tlio primary facts of geography, and astronomy, and the outline of history. Mr. Ward claimed that tho Bible was a great educational force, and had marvellous powers in strengthening the intellect and disciplining the understanding. It was orfectly adapted to man in oil positions and circumstances, and fitted his naturo at all points, always appealing to the best in him. Tho Salvation Army band collected £3 14s. Gd. at the Hospital yesterday. On Saturday night the Pctorie police arrested a man on charges of indecent! assault, which are alleged to have accurred in that district about a month ago. Regaiviing tho proposed new Eastbournu ferry service, it was decided at Friday night's meeting of the Eastbourne Borough Council to hold two public meetings, one in. the city and the other at the bay, for tha purpose of explaining the proposals on which the poll is to be taken on July 30. Tho city meeting will bo held on July 23. and tho suburban meeting on July 26. A sub-committee was appointed to <lra(v up a cirotilar giving details of the scheme, for issue to all ratepayers. A special meeting of the main branch of the. United Labour Party will be 'held in the Trades Hall at 8 o'clock this evening, when the reports of delegates to .the llnitv Congress will be presented. As tha United Labour Party is maintaining a distinct identity, tho executive is inviting the attendanco of members of all branches. In addition to the report of the delegates, there will be other important business.